PAU D’ARCO Powder

PAU D’ARCO  

Latin Name: Tabebuia serratifolia , Tahuari

PART USED: Inner Bark

It is taken from a huge canopy tree native to the Amazon rainforest, which grows to 46m high, and produces beautiful large yellow flowers. The base of the tree can be 2–3 m in diameter.

Traditional Use and Health Benefits

The Pau D’Arco tree has a long and revered history in South America, where it has been used for 1000’s of years to treat almost every malady imaginable. From malaria to the common cold, insect bites or fungal infections – Pau D’Arco was the answer.

It was and still is taken internally in tea or powder form, or used externally to treat all manner of wounds, skin infections, snake bites and even impetigo.

Benefits:  Combats Candida

Candida is a common yeast which lives in the mouth and the intestines. It is needed in very small amounts to aid digestion and nutrient absorption. However, if the body’s Ph level is upset it can get out of control very quickly, resulting in Candida overgrowth – also known as Candidiasis.

Powerfully antifungal, Pau D’Arco is best known for its Candida fighting abilities. It contains several classes of compounds – lapachol, xyloidone and other napthaquinones – the most important of these being lapachol. In an overview of lapachol research published in 2007, it was found that lapachol has a significant effect against Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis.

Anti-Inflammatory

A study published in “The Journal of Toxicological Sciences” found that Pau D’Arco increases the expression of Nrf2-target genes in the intestine, a protein that protects against oxidative damage triggered by injury and inflammation. The study showed that the activation of Nrf2 could mediate the beneficial effects of Pau D’Arco, protecting the intestine which can be severely affected by inflammation.

Antioxidant/Antiviral

Pau D’Arco contains some powerful antioxidant compounds including; quercetin, flavonoids and carnosol. Quercetin in particular is a prolific free radical scavenger, helping to slow down the aging process and lessening the effects of oxidative stress.

Pau D’Arco’s antiviral properties are legendary in its native South America, with it being used as such for 1000’s of years. It has been shown to actively inhibit dangerous viruses through the beta-lapochone content which inhibits the enzymes in virus cells, directly affecting the synthesis of DNA and RNA. The virus is no longer able to take control of the reproductive processes of the cell meaning it can neither replicate itself or infect other cells.

Folklore and History

Pau D’Arco has a long and well-documented history of use by the indigenous peoples of the rainforest. Use of Pau D’Arco may actually pre-date the Inca Empire. Tribes living thousands of miles apart have used Pau D’Arco for the same medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. Guarani and Tupi Indians call the Pau D’Arco tree Tajy, which means “to have strength and vigour.” The bark is used to treat many different conditions and as a tonic.

The Inca are attributed with dubbing this tree as divine. Many plants have been credited with godlike status but, it is said that Pau D’Arco attracts alpha rays, which give human cells a positive electrical charge.

Constituents

It contains many therapeutic phytochemicals including Lapachol, Anthraquinones, Ascorbic acid, Ash, and Beta-carotene

Pau D’Arco has crystalline oxygen locked into it, and is also rich in nutrients including iron, calcium, selenium, zinc Vitamins A, B & C, magnesium potassium and sodium.

Its combination of properties makes it antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal, thus giving it a reputation in combatting disease and as an immune system stimulant.

As well as Powder it is also available as a Tea-cut, and an Extract.

INCI Name: Tabebuia serratifolia